The benefits of joining a laughter club

Laughter clubs are free and open to everyone.

What happens at a laughter club?

The idea of laughter clubs is to gain the benefits of laughter by laughing for no reason. This is important - it's not necessary to tell jokes, or to be in a good mood or to be a humorous person or to feel like laughing. At a laughter club we practice laughing until it becomes more natural. We fake it until we make it.

Since it began in India in 1995 the laughter yoga movement (we call them laughter clubs or laughter yoga - it's the same thing) has spread to more than 3,000 clubs worldwide.

In Australia alone there are 5,000 practitioners of laughter yoga. It was a major event during the 2004 Melbourne International festival.

Hearty, roaring, silent and humming laughter, giggling, chuckling and smiling – who would say no to more laughter in their lives? The health benefits are undisputed and universal. A customised laughter session is the best way to enjoy “the medicine of laughter”.

The Bendigo Laughers

HO HO hahaha

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Testimonials from laughter club members

Laughter with a Bendigo Flavour

Early every Saturday morn, 8.30 in the a.m.

(Or sometimes it’s 8.36, cos people get there then)

People come from miles around, some from far, some near,

Just to start their weekend off with a dose of cheer.

We’re tall and short, young and older, even robust and thin,

Artists, musos, and believe it or not, even businessmen. (Well, businesspeople for that matter)

Some who work with the elderly, some with the disabled,

Some who teach, and we all learn, and some just won’t be labeled.

Bushwalkers, cyclists, motor bikers….many do drive cars,

And one or two notoriously spend Friday nights in bars (no names mentioned).

About Me

Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter

Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter are far-ranging. While more studies need to be done, studies so far have shown that laughter can help relieve pain, bring greater happiness, and even increase immunity. Positive psychology names the propensity for laughter and sense of humour as one of the 24 main signature strengths one can possess, and laughter yoga clubs are springing up across the country. Read on for more findings about the health benefits of laughter, and see how to incorporate more humor and fun into your life.

Humour is infectious

Humour is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. In addition to the domino effect of joy and amusement, laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humour and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.